Next week’s campus gun debate could include opt-out, insurance ideas

The debate over allowing concealed handguns in college classrooms could be fierce in the Senate next week as some lawmakers seek changes to allay their fears and others offer amendments they hope will damage the measure.

Sen. Jeff Wentworth, R-San Antonio, said he already has agreed to some amendments to Senate Bill 354.

He said they include one by Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, D-San Antonio, to exempt medical school buildings that are connected to hospitals (in a bow to the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio) and primary and secondary school buildings on college campuses from the requirement that guns be allowed.

But he said he didn’t think any amendments by Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston, would be acceptable.

Ellis, an opponent of the measure, said his amendments include one allowing public universities to opt out of the idea. He also is ready to take on the contention that allowing guns wouldn’t drive up insurance rates with two other proposals: One would say if university insurance rates go up, the state would pay the cost of the increase. The other would bar insurers from raising their rates due to the gun provision.

Wentworth brought up his bill Friday but pulled it back down after losing the two-thirds support required in the chamber to debate a bill and move it forward.

Sen. Eddie Lucio, D-Brownsville, said he wanted time to be sure the concerns of his constituents were addressed. Wentworth refused to wait until Monday, but then had to delay action anyway when Sen. Mario Gallegos, D-Houston, also said he wanted more time. Gallegos’ departure cost Wentworth the support to move forward.

Gallegos said in a statement, “Over the past few days, I have been bombarded with calls about Senate Bill 354- from parents who have kids in public universities and colleges across our state, employees of universities and junior colleges in my district, and board members of public universities and colleges in my district who are concerned about Senate Bill 354. The debate today on Senate Bill 354 brought up some important concerns that I believe are worth taking time to look at. Today, my decision was to take more time on this important issue in order to examine all options to make an informed vote.”

Wentworth said, “I’m hopeful that we will bring it back on Monday and actually get it passed on Monday.”